Automobile lock



Sept. 22, 1925.

Filed ll ay 2', 1935 c. A. GODSHALK AUTOMOBILE LOCK Elnnmtnr; QARENCE A.Gaps/mar,

w 5 8,. m h M l t m 2 S -mu fl 4 l mwwhhv 3 M K H n L m a .1 M m H WHH ls m n V. V s m m a m 0 d J v n A m m F J F Sept. 22, 1925.

FIG. m

v iinumotor. CLARENCE A. Gaps/m1.

Patented it, llhh.

ELAFJENCE A. GUDSHALFZ, 0F ARDMURE, FENFISEEVANIA, ASSliG-Ntl'lt Th) A.73. FQX til-Flt EOMFANY, till? PHILLADELFHIA, FENNSELVANJIA, AGURPURATIQN @F FEFTNSYL- ATD'llZUMOFILFl ZLQCK.

Application filed may 23, 1.9523. Serial Ito. ceases.

To all whom it may concern:

lde it known that l, CLARENCE A. Gonsrmnn, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Ardmore, in the county of Montgomery and State ofPennsylvania, have. invented a certain new and useful llmprovement inAutomobile. liioclrs, whereof the following is'a specification,reterence being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to means for preventing an automobile motor frombeing stopped until the automobile .isso looked as to preventunauthorized use; the puroose of such construction and arrangement beingto insure that the operator shall thus lock the automobile beforeleaving it.

1 have found it convenient to illustrate my invention in conjunctionwith locking means for detachably rigidly connecting the W steeringshaft of an automobile with the bearing tube inclosing said shaft, so asto prevent the vehicle from being steered, when locked. Such embodimentof my in vention is designed for use in conjunction with an automobileof the Ford type, and includes a lock of the pin tumbler key type, whichmay be permanently retained in connection with the vehicle, butalternately in two positions, inboth of which it is locked, but in onlyone of which it looks the vehicle.

lt may be observed that locking mechanisms of the general class abovecontemplated are claimed in Letters Patent of the United States No.1,156,615 dated Uctober 12, 1915 and No. 1,367,200 dated February l,1921, granted to James A. Murphey. However, said Letters Patent do notdisclose any engine controlling means in connection with such lockmechanism.

As hereinafter described; my invention includes an electric switchcarried by the steering wheel and including a slide'memher, having meansto eliect its movement m a wil all) @535 internal combustion motor mlthe automohereinat'ter more 'd'efinitel specified.

of said wheel and steerin Fig. Vl.

manually, which movement is, however,

bile to start said motor, and drive a magneto, and it is necessary .toshift said slide in the opposite direction to round the magneto to stopthe motor, an the latter movement is prevented unless and until thelocking mechanism is placed in locked position.

However, it is to be'understood that l do not desire to limit my presentinvention to such locking mechanism, which l have merely chosen forconvenience of illustration.

My invention includes the various novel "features of construction andar'ran ement til) Elli

l'tl ln said drawings; Fig. l is a plan view of a steering wheel and itsappurtenances embodying a convenient form of my invention applicable tosteering mechanism ot the Ford type. v

i H is a traentary side elevatio mechanism. Fig. llll is a plansectional view taken on the line llll, ill in Fig. "1F

Fig. llV is a fragmentary vertical sectional view talren on the line U7,1V in Fig. I.

Fig. '17 is a fragmentary vertical seetional view-taken on the line V, Vin Fig. l.

Fig. V1 is a plan sectional view, similar W to Fig. Jill, but showing amodified storm of my invention.

Fig. Vlll is a fragmentaryside elevation of the movable switch sectorshown in Ed Fig. Vllll is a fragmentary radial sectional view of theform of my invention shown in Figs. Fit and Vltl, taken on the line Flllin Fig. VI.

Fig. lX is a wiring diagram showing. the application oil my invention toprevent an automobile motor. from being stopped until the automobile isso locked as to prevent its unauthorized use. 3

Reterrin to the term out my invention shown in igs. l to UT inclusive;the steering wheelcomprises the rim 1, the spider 2 and the hub 3, allrigidly connected with the steering shaft 4. l find it convenient toconnect said spider 2 with said hub 3 by the key 6 and tapered pin 2?,andto conneqt said hub 3 with said shaft 4: by the key 8 and not 9, thelatter engaginga screw, thread on said shaftl.

Said hub 3 is conveniently provided with m llhll llld in radial relat1onwith the axis of said shaft .4, to receive the lock body 11 which ismounted to reciprocate therein. The extent of the radial reciprocationof said lock body 11 is limited by the screw 12 which is normallystationary in said lock casing and projects inwardly into the slot 14 insaid lock body 11 and also prevents rotation of the latter. However,said lock body 11 has the key barrel 16 which. is normally preventedfrom rotating therein by a series of pin tumblers 17 but, when the key18 is inserted in the key hole 19 of said barrel 16; said barrel may beturned by said key to project and retract the lock slide bolt 21. Saidslide bolt 21 is thus adapted for de tachable engagement in either ofthe detent recesses 22 and 23. in said casing 10, to detain said lockbody 11 in either its unlocked position, shown in full lines, or, in itslocked position, indicated in dotted lines in Figs. III and VI. It is tobe understood that when said key 18 is turned to retract said slide bolt21, and saidlock body 11 is withdrawn 'to the limit of its slot 14, saidslide bolt 21 registers with said recess 23 and may be engaged therewithto hold said lock body in said unlocked position shown in full lines.Said key 18- may be withdrawn from said lock whenever said lock bolt 21is projected, but cannot ,be withdrawn from the look when said bolt isretracted and,

- consequently, serves as a handle by which said lock body ll may bereciprocated.

It is the purpose and eflfect of the lock ing devices above contemplatedto prevent the operation of the steering mechanism of an automobile bypreventing rotation of said steering wheel. In the form shown;saidwheelhub 2 fits over a normally stationary internal gear case cover25 which is in screw threaded engagement with an internal gear case 26which is a fixture in-the automobile Said at the top of. the steeringcolumn. gear case cover 25 has a circumferential series of four lockrecesses 28 into any one of which said lock body 11 may be projected andlocked; so as to hold said steering wheel stationary in connection withsaid gear case 26. p

However, it is to be understood that the specific form of lock mechanismabove described, which is particularly adapted for automobiles of theFord type, is not of the essence of my invention.

In said form of my inventionshown in Figs. I to IV; said splder 2 hasthedepending cylindrical flange'30 provided with two metallic contactstuds- 31 and 32, rigidly connected therewith and'thus in electricalconnection with the frame work of the automobile. As best shown in. Fig.III; the switch sector 34, which is conveniently formed of cast metal,is fitted in concentric relation with said flange 30 and yieldingly heldin circumferentially slidable relation therewith, by means of the twoscrews 36 which are rigidly connected with said flange 30 and projectthrough therespective slots 37 in said sector 34, and have respectivesprings 38 beneath their heads, bearing upon said sector and pressingthe latterradially toward'the axis of said steering wheel flange 30.Said sector 34 is provided with the knob 39 by which it may be manuallyshifted in either direction. Said knob has the recess 40 at its innerend adapted to engage said contact 32 to detain said sector 34 in theneutral position shownin Fig. III; in which position the contact 31 isengaged in the recess 41 in said sector.= Accidental displacement is, ofcourse, prevented by said springs 38. However, said sector 34 has theabutment 42 which is ofi'set to a larger mechanism by which the operatormay pre-- vent unauthorized use of the automobile, as above described.

In the "form of my invention shown in Figs. I to IV inclusive; I providethe switch sector 34-with two binding posts 43 .and 44 which areinsulated from each other and from said sector by the block of insu-.lating material 45 in which they are mounted and which is tapered, asshown in Fig. III, and forced into a correspondingly shaped recess insaid sector 34 and thus rigidly connected with the latter. Said bindingpost 43 has the recess 47 at its inner end adapted to electricallyengage said contact 31 when said sector 34 is manually shifted in thatdirection. In order to permit said springs 38 to operate to thuselectrically connec the binding post 43 with said contact 31; I providesaid slide sector 34 with the recess 48-which will then registerwith andengage the contact 32. Simnary electrical conductors may be connectedtherewith in any circuit in which it is .de-

attests sired to include my improved switch mechanism above described.Of course, such circuits may be ol' did'erent character in accordancewith the system of wiring of any automobile to which my invention may beaccessory. However, in Fig. lX, l have indicated, diagrammatically, atypical circuit tor an internal combustion automobile motor 53 includingfour cylinders, provided with respective spark plugs 54: andrespectively connected by wires 55 with an ordinary rotary igniter 56which is in fact a,

switch which successively makes electrical connection between theconductor 57 and the respective spark plugs 54: in any orderpredetermined by the arrangement of the wires it is the usual presentpractice to use the metallic frame of the engine and the automobile aselectric conductors leading from the spark plugs oppositely to saidwires 55. However, in Fig. lX, l have indicated such conductors by thelines 58 and 59 which may, of course, be wires. As above described; thecontacts 31 and 32, carried by the steering wheel flange 30 are inelectrical connection with the frame. lFheretore, l have indicated themin Fig. TX in connection with said line 59 which indicates such frame.in other words; in that embodiment of my invention; both contacts 31 and32 are grounded in connectionwith the trance and thus with each oi thespark plugs 54; but the binding posts 43 and M are used to complete thecircuit to the igniter 56 through the conductor 57, conveniently asfollows: @rdinarily, an automobile is provided with a storage battery 61and with a rotary magneto or electric generator 62; such battery 61being used to produce the required sparks at the gaps in the igniter 56to start the automobile, and said generator 62 being rotated by the operation of the engine 53 thus initiated,- by such battery, is thereafterused to continue such sparks and, incidentally, tomaintain the battery61 charged. Therefore, l have indicated an arrangement of that generalcharacter in Fig, IX, wherein the circuit comprising the conductor 57 isarranged to be manually opened and closed by the switch- 63 inconnection with the spark coil 6d which includes the usual automaticinterrupter 65 to augment the voltage of the current supplied to saidspark plugs. Said conductor 5*? is adapted to be electrically connectedwith either said battery 61 or said generator 62 by the automaticallyoperative switch 66 which, in Fig. TX, is shown held, by the spring 67,in contact with the terminal 66 ol the conductor 69 leading to one poleoi? said storage battery 61. Ordinarily, the opposite pole ol? thebattery would be grounded, i. e., connected upon the frame not theautomobile; However, in the arrangement of my invention shown in Fig.IX, the opposite pole of the battery 61 is provided with the conductor70, which, instead of extending directly to the automobile trame, isconnected with said binding post 43 on the switch sector 34, so that itis necessary to shift said sector counter-clockwise, with reference toFig. 1K, to ground that side of the battery, by bringing said bindingpost l3 into electrical connection with said contact 31' on thesteeringwhee-l flange 30, However, when said sector 34 is thus shifted fromneutral position shown in Fig. HI to the position shown in Fig. IX, withthe circuit closed where the ordinary manually operative switch 63 isshown in said figure; the spark plugs 54 are supplied -with current fromsaid battery 61. lit is to be understood thatwhen my improved switchmechanism above described is employed, the ordinary manually operativeswitch 63 maybe omitted to compel the operator to control the motor 53by my improved switch mechanism.

Themotor 53 being thus set in operation, actuates the generator 62 whichis grounded upon one side as indicated at 59 in Fig. lit, and has itsopposite side connected with said conductor 57 throughfthe conductor Z1and automatic switch coil 72; so that, when the current produced by theoperation at said generator 62 becomes suflicient; said switch coil 72operates to shift said switch lever 66, contrary to the operation of thespring 67, to break the circuit between said spark plugs 54 and thebattery 61 and establlsh the circuit between said spark plugs and thegenerator 62,, by contill tact of said switch lever 66 with the switchterminal 73..

Thereafter, the motor 53 continues to operate in connection with thegenerator 62 and said switch sector 34 may be manually shifted to theneutral position shown in Fig. llllll, without. stopping said motor.However, as one side 0115 the generator 62 is grounded upon the frame ofthe automobile, as indicated at 59 in Fig. lX; the motor 53 may bestopped by also grounding the opposite side of said generator 62 andthus short-circuiting the spark plugs 5t and depriving them of thenecessary energy. Therefore, to do that; I connect said switch bindingpost dd with such opposite side of the generator, by the conductor 74;so that,

when said switch sector 34; is manually shifted clockwise to theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. lll, said binding post a lelectrically connects with said contact .32 and thus short-circuits saidgenerator 62 and stops the motor 53.. Qt course, as above ex plained,such clockwise movement of the switch slide sector 34L cannot beeilected when. the lock bod ll is in the unlocked pollli &

mg mechanism against unauthorized use, before he can stop said'motor 53.

The conductors and 76' shownin Fig.

IX merely connect said battery 61 with said' for one side of the circuitin which my switch mechanism above described is included; I do not wishto limit myself to such construction or arrangement and, therefore, haveshown in Figs. VI to VIII inclusive, a modified form of switchmechanism, which difiers from that shown in the preceding .figures inthat means are provided to maintain the contacts which are. rigidlyconnected with the steering wheel, insulated from the latter and,cpnsequently, insulated from the frame of the automobile; so that myinvention in that form may be embodied in any'circuit in'which' wiringconnections.

on both sides of the switch are desired.

In Figs. VI to VIII inclusive; the slid-.

able switch sector .80 is of larger radius than said switch sector 34 soas to afford space between said sector SOand the flange 30 on thesteering wheel to insert the insulating block 82. Said block -may berigidly connected with said flange 30 by rivets 83 and thus supports theelectrical contacts 85 and 86. As shown, both said contacts areelectrically connected with the single conductor plate 87, which isprovided with the single binding post 88 also insulated from said.

flange 30 by the block 89. As indicated in Figs. -VII and VIII; aconductor 90 may be connected withsaid binding post 8 8 and be otherwiseconnected as indlcated'in Fig;

IX. However, as above indicated; I do not desire to limit myself to theparticular embodis ments of my invention herein set-forth, as it isobvious that various modifications may be made therein without departingfrom the essential features of my invention, as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In automobile locks, the combination with a steering wheel and itsshaft; of a bearing tube inclosing said shaft; locking means arranged todetachab'ly rigidly connect said steering shaft with said bearing tube,so as to prevent the vehicle from being steered, when locked; includinga radiall movable lock body carried by said wheel; aimember rigidlyconnected with said bearing and having a circumferential series oflocking recesses adapted to receive said lock body in locked position;whereby both said wheel and shaft are held stationary when said lock isengaged with any of said locked; including a recesses; an electricswitch carried by sald steering wheel and including an arcuate annularslide member, having means to effect its movement manually, inconcentricrelation with said shaft; the arcual movement of said slide member beinglimited in one direction by said lock body, when the latter is inunlocked position; electrical contact projections on said wheel;recessed electrical contacts on-said slide member adapted to 'en agesaid 'contact projections; means yie dingly supporting said slide memberin connection with said steering wheel, includ:

ing studs projecting from said wheel through slots in said slide memberand having springs. normally pressing said slide member radially towardthe axis of said wheel; whereby, said slide member has freedom for botharcual and radial movement with respect to the axis of said wheel; an

internal combustion motor; an electric circuit including an igniter forsaid motor and two sources of electric energy, respectively a rotarygenerator and a storage battery; said slide and contacts being soarranged that the electrical connections between them are broken whensaid slide member is in neutral position, "said slide member beingmovable arcually in one direction to close the battery circuit inconnection with said igniter, whereby said motor is caused to drive saidgenerator, and said slide being arcually movable in the oppositedirection to ground said generator and stop said motor; the lattermovement being prevented unless and until the locking mechanism isplaced in locked position; whereby the operator is prevented fromstopping said motor until the vehicle is so locked as to preent itsunauthorized use.

2. In. automobile locks, the combination -with a steering wheel and itsshaft; of a bearing for said shaft; locking means arranged to detachablyrigidly connect said steering shaft with said hearing, so as to preventthe vehicle from being steered, when lock'body carried by said wheel; amember rigidly connected with said bearing and having a series oflocking recesses adapted to receive said lock body in locked position;whereby both said wheel and shaft are held stationary when said lock isengaged with any of said recesses; an

electric switch carried by said steering wheel and including a 'slidemember, in concentric relation with said shaft and adapted for arcuatemovement; the arcual movement of said slide member being limited by saidlock body, when the latter is in unlocked position; electrical contactprojections on said wheel; recessed electrical contacts on said slidemember, adapted to engage said contact projections; means yieldinglysupporting said slide member in connection with said steering wheel;whereby, said acetate slide member has freedom for both arcual andradial movement with respect to the axis of said wheel; an internalcombustion motor; an electric circuit including an igniter for saidmotor and two sources of electric energy, respectively a rotarygenerator and a storage battery; said slide and contacts being soarranged that the electrlcal connections between them are broken whensaid slide member is in neutral vposition, said slide member beingmovable arcually'in one direction to close the battery circuit inconnection with said igniter, whereby said motor is caused to drive saidgenerator, and said slide being arcually movable in the op positedirection to ground said generator and stop said motor; the lattermovement being prevented unless and until the locking mechanism isplaced in locked position;

whereby the operator is prevented from stopping said motor until thevehicle is so looked as to prevent its unauthorized use,

3. ln automobile locks, the combination with a steering wheel and itsshaft; of a bearing for said shaft; locking means arranged to detachablyrigidly connect said steering shaft with said hearing, so as to preventthe vehicle from being steered, when to engage said wheel contacts;means yield ingly supporting said slide member in connectionwith saidsteering wheel; whereby, said slide member has freedom for both arcualand radial movement with respect to the axis of said wheel; an internalcombustion motor; an electric circuit including an igniter for saidmotor, a rotary generator and a storage battery; said slide and contactsbeing so arranged that the electrical connections between them arebroken when said slide member is in neutral position, said slide memberbeing movable arcually in one direction to close the battery circuit inconnection with said igniter, and said slide being arcually movable inthe opposite direc tion to stop said motor; the latter movement beingprevented unless and until the locking mechanism is placed in lockedposi tion; whereby the operator is prevented from stopping said motoruntil the vehicle is so looked as to prevent its unauthorized use.

4. In automobile locks, the combination with a steering wheel and itsshaft; of a bearing for sand shaft; locking means arranged to detachablyrigidly connect said steering shaft with said bearing, so as to preventthe vehicle from being steered, when locked; an electric switch slidemember can ried by said steering wheel; the movement of said slidemember being limited in one direction by said locking means, when thelatter is in unlocked position; electrical contacts on said wheel;electrical contacts on said slide member adapted to engage said wheelcontacts; means yieldingly supporting said slide member in connectionwith said steering wheel; whereby, said slide member has freedom forboth arcual and radial movement with respect to the axis of said wheel;an internal combustion motor; an electrical circuit including an igniterfor said motor and a source of electric energy; said slide member beinin one direction toenergize said igniter, and start said motor; and saidslide being arcu'ally movable to stop said motor; the latter movementbeing prevented unless and until the locking mechanism is placed inlocked position; whereby the operator is prevented from stopping saidmotor until the vehicle is so looked as to prevent its unauthorized uge.

5. Jim automobile locks, the combination with a steering wheel and itsshaft; of a bearing for said shaft; locking means arranged to preventthe vehicle from being steered, when locked; an electric switch slidemember carried by said steering wheel; movement'of said slide memberbeing limited by said lockbody, when the latter is in unlocked position;electrical contacts on said wheel; electrical contacts on said slidemember; means supporting said slide member in connection with saidsteering Wheel; an in ternal combustion motor; an electric circuitincluding an igniter for said motor "and two sources of electric energy,respectively a rotary generator and a storage battery; said slide andcontacts being so arranged that the electrical connections between themare broken when said slide member is in neutral position, said slidemember being movable inone direction to close the battery circuit inconnection with said igniter, whereby said motor is caused to drive saidgenerator, and said slide being movable in the "opposite direction tostop said motor; the latter movement being prevented unless and untilthe locking mechanism is placed in locked position; whereby the operatoris prevented from stopping said motor until the vehicle is so looked asto prevent its unauthorized movable arcually iccwheel; electricalcontacts on said slidemem ber; means supporting said slide member inconnection with said steering wheel; an internal combustion motor; anelectric "circuit including an igniter for said motor and two sources ofelectric energy, respectively: a rotar generator and a storage battery;said sli e and contacts being so arran ed that the electricalconnections between t em are broken when said slide member is in neutralposition, said slide member being ovable to close the battery circuit inconnection with ment being prevented unless and until the a lockingmechanism is placed in locked position; whereby the operator isprevented from stopping said motor until the vehicle is so locked as toprevent its unauthorized use. 20 In testimony whereof, I have hereuntosigned my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 27th day of April,1923.

CLARENCE A. GODSHALK.

